James Penhallow, like thousands in that day of grim self-questioning, had been forced to reconsider opinions long held, and was reaching conclusions which he learned by degrees made argument with the simplicity of his wife's political creed more and more undesirable.
Leila was too young to be interested.

The rector was intensely anti-slavery and saw but one side of the ominous questions which were bewildering the largest minds.

The increasing interest in his nephew was, therefore, a source of real relief to the uncle.

Meanwhile, the financial difficulties of the period demanded constant thought of the affairs of the mills and took him away at times to Philadelphia or Pittsburgh.

Thus the summer ran on to an end.